Morocco overtake Brazil to reach record fifth in FIFA rankings

Morocco have climbed above Brazil into fifth place in the FIFA world rankings, setting a new record for an African or Arab national team.

The Atlas Lions moved up provisionally after Brazil were held to a 1-1 draw by Australia. Morocco’s position will be confirmed only after the international break, with a difficult result against Gabon on Friday capable of changing the standings.

Mohamed Ouahbi’s side face the Panthers in Rabat in the opening round of the Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifiers. They will then play Lesotho on 29 September in Bloemfontein, South Africa, in their second qualifying match.

Morocco are scheduled to meet Ghana in a friendly in Tangier on 4 October. Brazil, meanwhile, will face Australia again next Tuesday.

The latest move represents another landmark in Morocco’s steady rise through the world rankings. The team entered the top 10 after a series of strong results, combined with disappointing performances from several of their rivals.

They had previously reached a record sixth position after the 2026 World Cup, which Morocco finished in the top eight for a second successive edition.

Their progress has been supported by the strengthening of the national team and the development of a wider player pool. The approach has been encouraged by the mentality established by the country’s football leaders, as well as major investment in infrastructure and youth development.

An effective scouting system has also played a central role, allowing Morocco to recruit a significant number of talented dual nationals. That policy has helped the team compete with, and in some respects outpace, established football nations including the Netherlands and France.

Morocco’s immediate priority is to protect their latest ranking position when they begin their Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifying campaign against Gabon. A strong result in Rabat would increase their chances of retaining fifth place when the FIFA list is finalised after the international window.